Delhi ACB boss Meena shifts out SHO who handled anti-graft FIRs

Amid the ongoing controversy between the lieutenant governor and the Delhi government over their choice of officers leading the state government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), joint commissioner MK Meena, appointed by the L-G, transferred the station house officer (SHO) at the anti-graft unit.

Amid the ongoing controversy between the lieutenant governor and the Delhi government over their choice of officers leading the state government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), joint commissioner MK Meena, appointed by the L-G, transferred the station house officer (SHO) at the anti-graft unit.

Inspector Brij Mohan was appointed as the new SHO in place of Vinay Malik, who had not completed one year in office. Government sources said that the Delhi Police standing order clearly suggest that an SHO gets a tenure of two years, before which he should not be removed. He could be removed or transferred only on grounds of incompetence, indiscipline or promotion. While a senior ACB official called the transfer a routine one, the Delhi government did not comment.

Sources said Vinay Malik, worked in close association with SS Yadav during the arrest of some government officials between April- May.

Brij Mohan was transferred to the ACB along with Meena. Sources said Brij Mohan had never worked with ACB earlier. “The SHO plays an important role in the functioning of the department as he is supposed to go through the contents and sign each FIR registered in the wing. The SHO closely monitors each case registered with them and also appoints the team that investigates the matter. The SHO also maintains ACB records and should be thorough with the functioning of the department. The new appointee is however a new comer,” a Delhi government source said.

The government also alleged that the decision to transfer the existing SHO was unfair as it was done without consulting the directorate of vigilance in the Delhi government.